Chapter 3: The Gate of Dread

The Gate of Dread

The massive gate loomed before them, its surface pulsating with crimson light. The grotesque carvings etched into its obsidian frame seemed to shift and writhe, as if alive. Screams and whispers emanated from the cracks, filling the air with an oppressive unease.

Kael stopped a few paces away, his eyes narrowing as he studied the ancient barrier. "This must be the Second Gate," he muttered, his voice calm but filled with anticipation.

"Imposing, isn't it?" Morganna said, her tone laced with amusement. She traced a clawed finger along the air, as if drawing an invisible line. "But beautiful in its own way."

"Only a demon could call this beautiful," Liora retorted, her wings glowing faintly as she hovered just above the ground.

Kael ignored their exchange, stepping closer. As he approached, the carvings shifted again, forming grotesque faces that stared back at him. The gate seemed to sense him, its crimson glow intensifying.

The Abyss's voice echoed in his mind. "Beyond this gate lies the realm of dread, where fear manifests into reality. To proceed, you must face the shadows of your soul. Are you prepared, Vanguard?"

Kael smirked, gripping the hilt of his blade. "Fear and I are old friends."

Without hesitation, he placed his hand on the gate. The moment his palm touched its surface, the world around him dissolved into darkness.

---

Kael found himself standing in a vast void, the air cold and suffocating. The ground beneath him was a mirror-like surface, reflecting his image perfectly. As he took a step forward, ripples spread across the ground, distorting his reflection.

"Where are we?" Liora's voice broke the silence. She appeared beside him, her spear at the ready. Morganna followed, her crimson dress glowing faintly in the darkness.

"This is no ordinary trial," Morganna said, her usual smirk replaced by a rare seriousness. "The Gate of Dread forces you to confront what you fear most. And it's not kind about it."

Before Kael could respond, the mirrored surface beneath them shifted, transforming into a scene from his past. A grand castle appeared, its towers piercing the blood-red sky. Flames engulfed the structure, and the anguished screams of its inhabitants echoed through the air.

Kael's expression darkened as he recognized the scene.

"This… is your fear?" Liora asked, her voice softer now.

"It's not fear," Kael replied, his tone cold. "It's a memory."

As they watched, the gates of the castle burst open, and a younger version of Kael emerged, dragging a bloodied blade. His armor was battered, his face twisted with rage and despair. Behind him, a horde of corpses lay strewn across the castle courtyard—knights, servants, even children.

Morganna tilted her head, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Quite the spectacle. Care to explain?"

Kael didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward, his eyes locked on the phantom version of himself. The younger Kael turned to face him, his crimson eyes blazing with hatred.

"You've grown weak," the phantom snarled, raising his blade. "You think you can carry the weight of our sins and survive? You're nothing but a pretender."

Kael drew his blade, his smirk returning. "If I'm weak, then what does that make you?"

The phantom lunged without warning, their blades clashing with a deafening roar. Sparks flew as Kael parried each strike, his movements fluid and precise.

Morganna watched with amusement. "Fighting yourself? How poetic."

"This isn't just a fight," Liora said, her tone grave. "If he loses here, he loses himself."

Kael's strikes grew fiercer, his crimson eyes locked onto his opponent's. The phantom fought like a beast, every swing of its blade fueled by rage and despair. But Kael wasn't the same man he had been back then.

With a swift movement, Kael disarmed the phantom, driving his blade through its chest. The phantom staggered, its form flickering before dissolving into ash.

Kael stood over the remains, his breath steady. "I'm not the same man I was," he muttered. "And I won't be bound by my past."

The castle around them crumbled, the flames extinguishing as the void returned.

"Well done, Vanguard," the Abyss's voice echoed. "But the trial is not over. The Gate of Dread has many faces. Prepare yourself."

The ground beneath them shifted again, and new forms began to take shape. This time, it wasn't Kael's fear that materialized—it was Morganna's.

The demon queen's smirk faltered as a figure emerged from the shadows, its presence radiating malice.

Kael glanced at her. "Your turn."

Morganna's eyes narrowed, her claws igniting with flames. "Bring it on."

The figure that emerged from the shadows before Morganna was a towering presence cloaked in a black, flame-like aura. Its features were grotesque yet eerily regal—a horned visage of wrath and dominion. The flames licking at its form danced with a malevolent life of their own, casting long, flickering shadows across the void.

Morganna took a step back, her confident smirk faltering. "No… it can't be."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"

Liora hovered closer, her spear glowing faintly. "That's no ordinary opponent. It's tied to her. Her fear."

The figure's deep, thunderous voice echoed, reverberating through the void. "Morganna, my treacherous daughter. Did you think you could escape me? Did you believe you were worthy of my throne?"

Kael's eyes widened slightly. "Your father?"

Morganna's fists clenched, her flames burning brighter. "He's not my father anymore. He's just a memory. One I buried long ago."

"Then why does he haunt you still?" the figure taunted, taking a step forward. The void seemed to tremble under its weight. "Do you fear me, child? Or is it the truth you fear—that you will never be free of me?"

Kael took a step to Morganna's side. "Need help?"

She snapped her head toward him, her crimson eyes blazing. "Stay out of this, Kael. This is my fight."

Kael smirked but stepped back. "Suit yourself."

Morganna squared her shoulders, her flames surging around her. "You've tormented me long enough, old man. I've risen far beyond you, and I'll prove it."

The figure let out a guttural laugh. "Then come, daughter. Let me see if the fire you wield is worthy of the Infernal Crown."

Morganna charged, her form a blur of crimson as she hurled a wave of searing fire at the figure. It parted the flames with a sweep of its massive claw, retaliating with a blast of dark energy that she narrowly dodged.

"Still using your old tricks?" Morganna growled, teleporting behind the figure and slashing at its back. Her claws connected, drawing molten blood that hissed as it hit the ground.

The figure roared in pain but spun with startling speed, slamming its claw into her and sending her hurtling across the void.

"Morganna!" Liora called, moving to intervene, but Kael held up a hand.

"Don't," Kael said. "She said this is her fight."

Morganna rose to her feet, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. Her smirk returned, sharper than before. "You're slower than I remember, old man."

"Arrogance will be your undoing," the figure snarled, lunging at her with ferocious speed.

Morganna met the charge head-on, their clash shaking the void. Flames and shadows collided, creating an explosive display of power. For every strike her father landed, Morganna countered with twice the ferocity.

But the figure was relentless, its dark energy seemingly endless. Morganna began to falter, her flames dimming. The figure loomed over her, raising its claw for the final blow.

"I expected more," it growled. "You're nothing without me."

Morganna's eyes widened, a flicker of doubt crossing her face.

"Move, damn it!" Kael's voice cut through the chaos, snapping her out of her trance.

The figure's claw descended, but Morganna vanished in a burst of crimson light, reappearing above it. Her flames reignited, brighter and hotter than ever.

"You're wrong," she snarled. "I'm everything you feared I'd become. And I don't need you!"

With a scream of defiance, she unleashed a torrent of hellfire, consuming the figure completely. The void shook violently, the shadows dissolving into nothingness.

When the flames subsided, the figure was gone, and Morganna stood alone, breathing heavily.

Kael approached, his smirk returning. "Not bad."

Morganna shot him a glare but couldn't hide the hint of a smile. "Don't get used to it."

Liora landed gracefully beside them, her expression softening. "You faced your fear and won. The Gate should recognize your strength now."

As if on cue, the Abyss's voice resonated in their minds. "The demon queen has proven her worth. But the Gate of Dread demands more. Who among you will face it next?"

Liora tightened her grip on her spear, stepping forward without hesitation. "It's my turn."

Kael watched her, his expression unreadable. "You sure you're ready for this?"

She glanced at him, her golden eyes unwavering. "Always."